Cyber Attacks in the Middle East: An In-Depth Analysis (January - July 2024)

Introduction

The Middle East has been a focal point for cybercriminal activities in 2024, with a notable increase in both the volume and complexity of attacks. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of cyber attack trends in the region for the first half of 2024, based on data from FalconFeeds.io. Covering Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, ransomware, and data breaches, the region has faced significant challenges in safeguarding its digital infrastructure.

Overview of Cyber Attack Activity

From January to July 2024, the Middle East recorded 1,700 cyber attack incidents. The frequency of attacks showed a steady rise over these months, with July 2024 experiencing 299 incidents, the highest in any month so far. This trend highlights the growing cyber risks faced by the region.

Breakdown of Cyber Attack Categories

The cyber attack landscape in the Middle East is diverse, with different types of threats impacting organizations and industries across the region. Here’s a breakdown of the key attack categories:

• DDoS Attacks: DDoS attacks were the most prevalent, accounting for 1,064 incidents, or over 62% of all attacks. These attacks were particularly high in April (202 incidents) and July (185 incidents), disrupting services across multiple sectors.
• Data Breaches: A total of 254 incidents were recorded, with May witnessing the highest number of breaches (62 incidents). Data breaches continue to expose sensitive information and highlight ongoing security vulnerabilities.
• Defacements: The region saw 147 defacement incidents, with a notable increase in May (39 incidents). Defacement attacks, which alter the content of websites, are often aimed at damaging organizational credibility.
• Data Leaks: The Middle East faced 109 data leak incidents, with the highest number occurring in July (26 incidents). Data leaks can lead to further security breaches by exposing confidential information.
• Ransomware: While fewer in number, ransomware attacks posed a significant threat, with 58 incidents recorded. The highest activity was observed in May (15 incidents), signaling the continued threat of data extortion.
• Access Sale: Access sales, where stolen credentials or backdoors are sold, accounted for 68 incidents, peaking in March (14 incidents).

Geographic Analysis: Most Targeted Countries

Among the most affected countries, Israel stood out, accounting for nearly 60% of all cyber attacks in the Middle East. This was driven largely by its advanced technological infrastructure and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Pro-Palestinian hacktivist groups, along with pro-Russian hacker groups, increasingly targeted Israeli organizations, aiming to disrupt services and further their political agendas.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE also faced significant cyber threats due to their economic importance and political influence in the region. Both countries experienced multiple attacks aimed at accessing sensitive data or destabilizing their infrastructure. Other nations, such as Egypt and Turkey, were less frequently targeted but still faced notable cyber activity tied to regional tensions.

Industry-Specific Impact

Several industries in the Middle East were disproportionately affected by cyber attacks. The Government & Public Sector was hit hardest, likely due to the sensitive information and infrastructure it manages. Other sectors, such as Education, Technology, Media, and Financials, were also significantly impacted.

• Government & Public Sector: 264 incidents
• Education: 175 incidents
• Technology & IT Services: 174 incidents
• Media, Arts, & Entertainment: 138 incidents
• Financials: 149 incidents

Platform-Wise Analysis

Cybercriminals used various forums to publish stolen data, leaks, and access sales. Breach Forums emerged as the most active platform, accounting for 236 incidents. Monitoring these forums is essential for anticipating and mitigating future attacks.

• Breach Forums: 236 incidents
• Xss: 47 incidents
• Exploit: 34 incidents
• Ramp: 31 incidents

Most Active Threat Actors (January - July 2024)

Several threat actors played key roles in cyber attacks across the Middle East during this period, with both ransomware groups and hacktivist groups contributing to the overall threat landscape.

Ransomware Groups:

• LockBit 3.0: Leading the ransomware activity with 16 incidents, LockBit 3.0 targeted industries such as Healthcare, Manufacturing, Technology, and Consumer Services. Despite a temporary disruption in February 2024 due to Operation Cronos, LockBit quickly resumed activities, targeting the UAE, Israel, Turkey, and Egypt.
• STORMOUS: Active in 8 incidents, STORMOUS focused on UAE’s Government & Public Sector. The group operates with both political and financial motivations.
• Qilin: With 5 incidents, Qilin primarily attacked UAE and Saudi Arabia, targeting the Technology and Consumer Services sectors.
• DARKVAULT: This group executed 4 incidents, mainly in the UAE, focusing on Consumer Services and Technology.

Hacktivist Groups:

• RipperSec: A pro-Palestinian hacktivist group, RipperSec was involved in 118 incidents, targeting Israel through DDoS attacks and website defacements. Their main focus was the Government and Education sectors.
• GARUDA FROM CYBER: Responsible for 65 incidents, this group aligned with pro-Palestinian motives and primarily conducted DDoS and defacement attacks on Israel.
• SYLHET GANG-SG: Specializing in DDoS and defacement attacks, SYLHET GANG-SG targeted Israel and Saudi Arabia in 61 incidents, focusing on the Financial, Education, and Government sectors.

Strategic Recommendations for Organizations

To counter the rising cyber threats, organizations in the Middle East must adopt a multi-layered security approach. Key strategies include:

• Implement Comprehensive DDoS Protection: Deploy advanced DDoS mitigation solutions that can neutralize threats in real-time, ensuring continued service availability.
• Enhance Data Security: Encrypt sensitive data, conduct regular security audits, and patch vulnerabilities promptly to prevent data breaches.
• Adopt Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use MFA across all critical systems to add an additional security layer, making unauthorized access more difficult.
• Monitor Cybercriminal Activity: Actively track forums like Breach Forums and Xss for signs of data theft or impending attacks, and partner with threat intelligence providers for timely alerts.
• Employee Training: Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness programs to help employees recognize phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics.
• Develop and Update Incident Response Plans: Maintain a robust incident response plan, regularly testing and updating it to stay ahead of evolving threats.
• Collaborate with Cybersecurity Networks: Engage in information-sharing initiatives with regional and global partners, and participate in joint exercises to improve preparedness.

Conclusion

The first half of 2024 has seen a significant rise in cyber attacks across the Middle East. DDoS attacks, data breaches, and defacements have been the most common forms of attack, with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE being the most frequently targeted nations. Critical sectors such as government, education, and technology have borne the brunt of these attacks.

Organizations across the region must take these trends seriously and implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect their digital infrastructure. As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, maintaining a proactive approach to security is essential to mitigating risks and ensuring business continuity.

List of Analyzed Countries

This report covers a detailed analysis of cyber attacks in the following Middle East countries:

Bahrain , Egypt , Iran , Iraq , Israel , Jordan , Kuwait , Lebanon , Oman , Palestine , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Turkey and UAE